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Vanessa · 02-24-2007, 06:48 PM

Sri, First off CONGRATS!!!!

I've made a similar commitment to address the extra sixty pounds I've been carrying for the last few years. After Christmas, I intended to release the weight over the first 9 months of this year. But it wasn't just the intention, it was all the actions I've taken to move towards it that have created my results.

As soon as I had intended my goal, I hung up a dress that I used to love to wear when I was at my ideal weight and look at it everyday so I see my reward. I didn't tell anyone at first that I had committed to do this for myself for fear of failing my word. I wanted to do what I committed to and show my results.

I'm on track to reaching my goal.

I've lost 19 pounds over the last two months. I've been steadily losing about two pounds a week after the first two weeks. I changed the way I ate and followed a meal plan from a book my mom recommended. I'm not vegetarian but I eat a lot more fish and less red meat now. I eat tons of fresh veggies and fruits. I count my calories at the The Daily Plate. I do strength training exercises at home and walk my dog for my cardio. Knowing that working out at home is better for me was one of my bigger accomplishments. I had a gym membership, never went, did not feel comfortable going and felt bad for it. I've since canceled that membership now that I am more successful working out in my home.

A big obstacle I came across was the amount of alcohol my friends and I would drink. I didn't know how caloric it was until I sat down and calculated it. So I've cut back on what I drink, now I only drink low cal beers and mixed drinks with diet soda-- Gin and diet tonic and Mic Ultra are my favs. I still drink wine with dinners but I consider it my treat for the day and drink more water to compensate.

I drink a lot of water. I drink at least two Nalgene's of water a day during work. I get all sorts of fancy water instead of sodas with my meals at home. I don't like to drink liquid calories; they don't help me feel full. I love going food shopping now with my little list full of things I know will help me reach my goal. Sometimes, I'm so happy the cashier at Publix will mention that I must be the happiest person they've seen today. I feel good about making my own meals. That was also important to me, having a different tasty meal regularly. Since I plan my meas a week ahead I incorporate yummy new meals as I go.

I don't like to feel hungry because it means I haven't planned out what I will be eating and I get sidetracked. I will say that I am always satisfied with my meals and what I choose to eat. I have never not felt full or unsatisfied after eating. I do eat snacks throughout the day so that I don't think about being hungry. I just make sure the snack I'm having is one that will help me.

I've learned that its the little efforts that I do on a regular basis that add up to reaching my goal. I leave room for failure. For me, my weak points are not having a meal planned ahead and choosing to eat food as I am in hungry-ansty mode. I almost always eat beyond a portion size or will eat impulse foods that are not helpful to my goal. Also, eating out socially with my friends was a little more difficult thing to tame. I solved that by reducing how often I went out to meals with them and knowing in advanced where we were going so I could plan what I'd eat to stay on my goal. I've also noticed that my body will not feel good if I don't eat the healthy foods I am now having regularly and will immediately feel better when I eat some veggies or fruit.

02-24-2007, 06:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Vanessa Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 158	Sri, First off CONGRATS!!!! I've made a similar commitment to address the extra sixty pounds I've been carrying for the last few years. After Christmas, I intended to release the weight over the first 9 months of this year. But it wasn't just the intention, it was all the actions I've taken to move towards it that have created my results. As soon as I had intended my goal, I hung up a dress that I used to love to wear when I was at my ideal weight and look at it everyday so I see my reward. I didn't tell anyone at first that I had committed to do this for myself for fear of failing my word. I wanted to do what I committed to and show my results. I'm on track to reaching my goal. I've lost 19 pounds over the last two months. I've been steadily losing about two pounds a week after the first two weeks. I changed the way I ate and followed a meal plan from a book my mom recommended. I'm not vegetarian but I eat a lot more fish and less red meat now. I eat tons of fresh veggies and fruits. I count my calories at the The Daily Plate. I do strength training exercises at home and walk my dog for my cardio. Knowing that working out at home is better for me was one of my bigger accomplishments. I had a gym membership, never went, did not feel comfortable going and felt bad for it. I've since canceled that membership now that I am more successful working out in my home. A big obstacle I came across was the amount of alcohol my friends and I would drink. I didn't know how caloric it was until I sat down and calculated it. So I've cut back on what I drink, now I only drink low cal beers and mixed drinks with diet soda-- Gin and diet tonic and Mic Ultra are my favs. I still drink wine with dinners but I consider it my treat for the day and drink more water to compensate. I drink a lot of water. I drink at least two Nalgene's of water a day during work. I get all sorts of fancy water instead of sodas with my meals at home. I don't like to drink liquid calories; they don't help me feel full. I love going food shopping now with my little list full of things I know will help me reach my goal. Sometimes, I'm so happy the cashier at Publix will mention that I must be the happiest person they've seen today. I feel good about making my own meals. That was also important to me, having a different tasty meal regularly. Since I plan my meas a week ahead I incorporate yummy new meals as I go. I don't like to feel hungry because it means I haven't planned out what I will be eating and I get sidetracked. I will say that I am always satisfied with my meals and what I choose to eat. I have never not felt full or unsatisfied after eating. I do eat snacks throughout the day so that I don't think about being hungry. I just make sure the snack I'm having is one that will help me. I've learned that its the little efforts that I do on a regular basis that add up to reaching my goal. I leave room for failure. For me, my weak points are not having a meal planned ahead and choosing to eat food as I am in hungry-ansty mode. I almost always eat beyond a portion size or will eat impulse foods that are not helpful to my goal. Also, eating out socially with my friends was a little more difficult thing to tame. I solved that by reducing how often I went out to meals with them and knowing in advanced where we were going so I could plan what I'd eat to stay on my goal. I've also noticed that my body will not feel good if I don't eat the healthy foods I am now having regularly and will immediately feel better when I eat some veggies or fruit.